Choosing a Phlebotomy School near Salvisa Kentucky
Choosing the ideal phlebotomy technician training near Salvisa KY is an important first step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult task to evaluate and compare each of the training options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to make sure that you get a quality education. In reality, a large number of potential students begin the process by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Another option you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to researching phlebotomist training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your decision process too. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you pick the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online schools.
Phlebotomy Technician Career Summary
A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their primary duty, there is in fact far more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to confirm that the instruments being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork has to be correctly filled out to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory screening procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of phlebotomists actually work in Salvisa KY area labs and are in charge of making sure that samples are tested correctly using the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they might be asked to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.
Where do Phlebotomists Practice?
The most basic answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are numerous and varied, such as Salvisa KY hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a specific type of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be collecting blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients on a daily basis.
Phlebotomy Education, Licensing and Certification
There are essentially 2 types of programs that furnish phlebotomy training, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to finish and provides a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomist. Available at Salvisa KY junior and community colleges, they typically require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program furnish a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will probably want to become certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, a number of Salvisa KY employers look for certification before hiring technicians. Some of the main certifying organizations include:
- National Phlebotomy Association
- National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
- American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP).
- American Medical Technologists (AMT).
There are a few states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, such as Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a quality education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.
Online Phlebotomy Classes
To start with, let’s resolve one potential misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial portion of the course of study will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility. Many courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical component of the training can be accessed online, it can be a more practical alternative for many Salvisa KY students. As an additional benefit, many online programs are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some expenditures, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a superior education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online may be the right choice for you.
Topics to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges
Since you now have a basic understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already picked the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the college is important in addition to the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online college. All of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for choosing a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you need to ask about each of the Salvisa KY programs you are reviewing before making your final selection.
Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for Kentucky or the state where you will be working and readies you for all exams you may be required to take.
Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from a guarantee of a quality education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to sit for a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited schools. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to future employers in the Salvisa KY job market.
What is the College’s Reputation? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of all schools you are considering. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their students as part of their job placement program. You can research online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also contact a few Salvisa KY clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and see if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the Kentucky school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.
Is Plenty of Training Provided? To begin with, check with the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums may signify that the Salvisa KY training program is not expansive enough to offer adequate training.
Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask the colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with Salvisa KY health care facilities. They are the ideal means to receive hands-on practical training typically not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Salvisa healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.
Is Job Placement Support Provided? Finding your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Ask if the schools you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Salvisa KY medical community.
Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to make sure that the ultimate program you choose provides classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is particularly important if you choose to still work while going to college. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near Salvisa KY, make sure they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option as well. And if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is should you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.
Considering Phlebotomy Training near Salvisa KY?
U.S. Route 127 in Kentucky
U.S. Route 127 (US 127) in Kentucky runs 207.7 miles (334.3 km) from the Tennessee state line in rural Clinton County to the Ohio state line in Cincinnati. The southern portion of the route is mostly rural, winding through various small towns along the way. It later runs through the state capital of Frankfort before continuing north, eventually passing through several Cincinnati suburbs in Northern Kentucky, joining US 42 near Warsaw and US 25 in Florence before crossing the Ohio River via the Clay Wade Bailey Bridge.
US 127 enters the state at Static on the state line separating Pickett County, Tennessee, from Clinton County, Kentucky, where it intersects Tennessee State Route 111 (SR 111, formerly SR 42) and Kentucky Route 1076 (KY 1076). It passes through Albany. After that it runs concurrently with KY 90 for 0.59 miles (0.95 km), and then crosses into Russell County, where it goes onto Wolf Creek Dam and passes the Lake Cumberland State Resort Park. After the lake, US 127 passes through Jamestown and Russell Springs, where US 127 has a junction with the Cumberland Parkway. After it leaves Russell County, the highway then traverses Casey, western Lincoln, and Boyle Counties, including the communities of Liberty, Hustonville, and Danville, respectively. At Danville, US 127 then goes further north to Harrodsburg (Mercer County), Lawrenceburg (Anderson County), and then, Franklin County, the home of the state capital city of Frankfort.[4]
After the capital, US 127 then passes through Owen and Gallatin counties, including the city of Owenton. After its junction with Interstate 71 (I-71), US 127 joins US 42 east of Warsaw. The highway then travels into Boone County, where it has a junction with I-75/I-71 before entering the city of Florence, and then enters Kenton County, and goes through the cities of Erlanger and then Covington before it (during its concurrency with US 25) leaves the state by crossing the Ohio River into downtown Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio.[4]
In 1958, US 127's southern terminus was relocated from Cincinnati, Ohio to Chattanooga, Tennessee. The highway's extension into Kentucky and Tennessee resulted in the decommissioning of the following roadways:
Choose the Ideal Phlebotomy College near Salvisa KY
Making certain that you choose the most suitable phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying health care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a superior college. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are offered in a number of academic institutes, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Program options can differ somewhat from state to state as each state has its own mandates when it concerns phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to diligently research and compare each college before making your ultimate decision. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the best college for you. And with the proper training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Salvisa KY.
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